The morning bell echoed through the air like the toll of some ancient church.

Jack sat at his desk in Arcaneis Academy’s Lecture Hall 3, watching sunlight slant in through the tall glass windows. His hand rested against his cheek, half-listening to Professor Varrin drone on about mana circulation patterns. The diagrams on the board glowed faintly, traced with shimmering chalk that pulsed like veins of living light.

Everyone else was scribbling notes, but Jack… didn’t need to.

For some reason, the patterns etched themselves into his mind the moment he looked at them. He could feel them — not just remember them — as though the flow of mana the professor described was already flowing inside his own body.

“Jack Reyu,” Professor Varrin’s sharp voice cut through the air.

Jack blinked. “Yes, sir?”

Varrin’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you’d like to explain why you’re staring into space instead of focusing on the fundamentals of mana control?”

A few chuckles echoed from the back of the class. Jack ignored them. “Because I already know how to do it, sir.”

The professor raised a brow. “Already know? And you’ve demonstrated this… when?”

Jack’s lips quirked into a small, almost arrogant smile. “I can show you right now.”

Varrin stepped back with a mocking gesture. “By all means.”

Jack raised his hand, palm open. He took a breath, closed his eyes, and pictured the mana patterns exactly as they’d been drawn on the board.

The air rippled around his fingers. Purple light bled out of his palm — not the pale blue most mages had, but a deep, swirling violet that seemed to drink in the sunlight. The shape formed perfectly in the air: a mana circle identical to the one on the board, except… alive. It pulsed, each rune beating like a heartbeat.

A few gasps broke the silence. Even Varrin stepped back. “That… isn’t standard mana coloration,” he muttered under his breath.

Jack relaxed his hand, and the circle dissolved like smoke. “Guess I got it right?”

The professor cleared his throat. “See me after class.”

When the lecture ended, Jack didn’t bother staying behind. He knew exactly what “see me after class” meant — more questions, more suspicion, maybe another round of pointless testing. He pushed the door open and stepped into the warm courtyard, the scent of blooming mana-lilies drifting through the air.

A voice called from behind him. “Show-off.”

Jack turned to see Kirito, leaning casually against a pillar, sword slung over his shoulder. His black hair was tied in a loose knot, his academy jacket unbuttoned in total disregard for the dress code.

“You were watching?” Jack asked.

“Of course I was,” Kirito said, grinning. “Half the class is talking about it already. Purple mana? That’s… not exactly subtle.”

Jack shrugged. “Didn’t mean to make a scene.”

“Yeah, well, you made one anyway. You’re lucky Rem wasn’t there to scold you.”

As if on cue, a familiar voice rang out. “What did you do this time, Jack?”

Rem came jogging up, her short brown hair catching the sunlight, her academy satchel bouncing against her hip. She had that look — the one that meant she’d heard just enough to be annoyed.

“Relax,” Jack said, lifting his hands. “I just… answered a question.”

“With purple mana,” Kirito added, smirking.

Rem stopped dead. “Purple?” Her eyes widened. “Jack, do you have any idea what—”

Before she could finish, a small, irritated voice interrupted.

“Can we go five minutes without someone trying to grill the kid?”

A small black cat padded into view, tail flicking lazily. His eyes glowed faint gold, and the silver pendant around his neck shimmered faintly.

“Dio,” Jack said with a faint smile. “You missed my demonstration.”

“I didn’t miss anything,” Dio replied telepathically — his voice sliding into their minds like warm smoke. “I was napping on the roof. And I felt that mana flare from halfway across campus.”

“Great,” Jack muttered. “Now the whole academy probably felt it.”

“They did,” Dio said simply. “And some of them won’t like it.”

Rem folded her arms. “Jack, we’ve talked about this. If your mana’s that unusual, it could draw—”

“I know,” Jack cut her off. “Unwanted attention.”

Kirito looked between them. “You’re hiding something from me.”

Jack didn’t answer. Instead, he shoved his hands in his pockets and started walking toward the cafeteria. “Lunch?”

They ended up sitting at their usual corner table in the back of the cafeteria — far from the gossiping clusters of other students. Jack poked at his food absentmindedly, his mind replaying the look on Professor Varrin’s face.

He wasn’t stupid. He knew purple mana wasn’t normal. He’d known it since he was a kid.

Aunt Selene had told him it was “just a quirk,” nothing dangerous — but every year, it got stronger. More… alive. Sometimes, when he used too much, he could hear something in it. A heartbeat that wasn’t his own.

Dio’s voice broke his thoughts. You should be careful, Jack.

Jack didn’t look up. Why?

Because, Dio replied, I’ve seen mana like that before. And the last time I did… it belonged to a king.

Jack froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. “A king?” he said aloud before catching himself.

Kirito and Rem both stared at him. “What king?” Rem asked slowly.

Dio didn’t answer. He just yawned and curled his tail around his paws.

Jack forced a laugh. “Forget it. Cat’s being cryptic again.”

But deep down… the word stuck in his mind like a thorn.

A king.

That night, Jack lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The dorm was quiet — only the faint sound of rain tapping against the window. Dio was curled up on his desk chair, fast asleep.

Jack closed his eyes.

For a moment, he saw something — a throne of black stone, a crown of burning silver, and a woman with long white hair and eyes like molten gold, holding a baby in her arms. She was smiling… and crying at the same time.

Then, a shadow fell over her. A man’s voice, deep and cold, said a name Jack had never heard before.

Rusof.

Jack’s eyes snapped open, his heart pounding.

Outside, thunder rolled over Arcaneis Academy.

And far away, in a place no student had ever seen, someone — or something — had felt the pulse of purple mana.

Rain was still falling the next morning.

Not the gentle kind that makes you want to sleep in, but the heavy, silver sheets that turn the academy courtyards into shimmering mirrors.

Jack sat on the edge of his dorm bed, lacing his boots while Dio lazily cleaned his paw.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Jack said.

Dio didn’t look up. Thinking.

“About?”

That mana flare yesterday. You should’ve held back.

Jack gave a dry laugh. “You mean, I should’ve let Professor Varrin humiliate me in front of everyone?”

Dio’s tail flicked. Better than painting a target on your back.

Jack frowned. “You said you’ve seen mana like mine before. You said it belonged to a king. Who?”

The cat met his eyes, golden irises sharp as blades. Not yet.

“Not yet? That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?”

If you knew the answer now, Dio said, you’d either laugh it off or do something stupid. Either way, you’re not ready.

Jack sighed and shoved his coat on. “Fine. Be cryptic.”

The Courtyard

By the time Jack reached the main courtyard, most students were hurrying between classes with their hoods up.

“Oi, Jack!”

Kirito’s voice carried over the sound of rain. He jogged up, water dripping from his sword’s scabbard. “You hear the rumors?”

Jack tilted his head. “What rumors?”

“Some of the staff were talking last night,” Kirito said, lowering his voice. “Apparently, your little purple mana trick didn’t just stay in the classroom. The Academy’s High Warden’s been called in.”

Jack raised a brow. “The High Warden?”

Kirito nodded. “Yeah. Guy’s basically the Academy’s watchdog for magical anomalies. Shows up when something… unusual happens.”

Before Jack could respond, Rem appeared from the library steps, holding a stack of scrolls. “You’re both late for Battle Theory. And Jack—” She stopped, eyes narrowing. “You look… tense.”

“Kirito says the High Warden’s here,” Jack said.

Rem’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Then you really need to keep your head down.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Jack muttered.

“Because you don’t understand what it means to have something the Academy can’t categorize,” Rem said sharply. “People fear what they can’t control. And here, fear turns into… bad decisions.”

Kirito grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Relax. Worst case, they just put you under surveillance for the rest of your life.”

Jack gave him a flat look. “Comforting.”

Battle Theory Class

Professor Drenn’s Battle Theory wasn’t the kind of lecture where you could hide in the back and doze off.

The room was a wide combat hall, its floor covered in enchanted sand that reshaped itself depending on the exercise.

Today, it had molded into a small arena.

“Pair off!” Drenn barked. “We’re testing mana reinforcement techniques!”

Kirito immediately stepped beside Jack. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, buddy.”

Jack sighed. “Go easy on me.”

“Not a chance.”

They squared off. Kirito drew his training sword, its edges glowing faint blue as his mana flowed into it. Jack took his stance, focusing mana into his hands. He tried to keep it the standard pale blue he’d been taught… but like ink seeping into water, that familiar violet hue bled in.

Kirito noticed. His grin faded. “You’re not even trying to hide it?”

Jack smirked faintly. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The duel began.

Kirito moved first, blade flashing toward Jack’s shoulder. Jack sidestepped, catching the blade with a burst of reinforced mana. The clash sent sparks dancing in the air.

They traded blows, the sand shifting beneath their feet. Jack’s movements were sharper than usual today, his mana reinforcing his strikes with a strange rhythm — almost like a second pulse guiding him.

Kirito’s eyes narrowed. “You’re faster than before.”

Jack didn’t answer. He just pressed forward, forcing Kirito back. With one final burst, Jack disarmed him, the sword clattering to the sand.

The other students stared. Even Drenn looked surprised. “That’s… new,” he said slowly. “Reyu, stay after class.”

Jack’s stomach sank.

The High Warden

After class, Jack followed Professor Drenn into a side chamber. Waiting there was a tall man in a black coat trimmed with silver, his eyes the color of cold steel.

“Jack Reyu,” the man said, his voice calm but carrying a weight that made Jack’s skin prickle. “I am High Warden Thalos. I oversee matters concerning… anomalies within the Academy.”

Jack crossed his arms. “And you think I’m an anomaly?”

“I think,” Thalos said, “that your mana signature does not match any known classification. I also think that you have either been concealing your true capabilities… or you have no idea what you are.”

Jack bristled. “I know what I am. I’m a student.”

Thalos’ gaze was unblinking. “Do you know what violet mana represents?”

Jack shook his head.

“It is not a natural color,” Thalos said. “It does not occur without… intervention. Or inheritance.”

Jack felt something cold twist in his chest.

Thalos stepped closer. “If you know anything about your bloodline, now is the time to tell me.”

Jack’s jaw tightened. “I don’t.”

Thalos studied him for a long moment, then nodded once. “Then I will find out for you.”

Rusof’s Throne Room — Elsewhere

Far away, in the heart of the Mythic Demon Realm, a man sat upon a throne of blackened bone. His armor was jagged obsidian, his eyes burning with crimson fire.

A hooded figure knelt before him. “My lord, the flare has been confirmed. The heir… lives.”

The man’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “After all these years.”

“Shall I dispatch the hunters?” the hooded figure asked.

Rusof rose, his cloak sweeping across the floor like a shadow come to life. “No. Not yet. Let the boy grow… let him think he is safe. Then, when the time is right…” His smile sharpened. “I will take more than the throne from him.”

Night in the Dorm

Back in his dorm room, Jack paced. Dio watched from the desk, tail twitching.

So, Dio said finally, they sent the High Warden.

Jack stopped. “You knew?”

Of course I knew. The moment you lit up half the Academy with that mana flare, they were bound to send someone. The question is—

“I’m starting to think you know exactly what I am,” Jack said, cutting him off.

Dio’s golden eyes gleamed. Maybe I do.

“Then tell me.”

The cat stretched lazily. Not yet.

Jack glared. “You sound just like the High Warden.”

Dio smirked — at least, as much as a cat could smirk. The difference is, I’m on your side.

Jack sat on the bed, rubbing his temples. “I had a dream last night… about a woman. White hair. Golden eyes. Holding a baby.”

Dio’s tail froze mid-swing. And?

“She was smiling… and crying. Then a shadow fell over her, and someone said the name Rusof.”

The cat was silent for a long moment. You’re remembering.

“Remembering what?”

Dio jumped down from the desk. Something your aunt worked very hard to make you forget.

Jack looked at him. “Why?”

Because, Dio said quietly, if you knew the truth, you’d already be dead.

The First Move

In the shadows outside the Academy walls, something moved.

A figure cloaked in black scaled the outer barrier with inhuman grace. His eyes glowed faint red as he whispered into a crystal.

“The target is confirmed. Orders?”

A voice replied, low and dark: “Watch him. Wait for the command.”

The figure melted back into the night, unseen by the guards.

Inside his dorm, Jack finally lay down, unaware that his life had just stopped being ordinary — for good.

The rain had stopped by morning, but the air still held that damp, heavy feeling that made the academy’s stone walls smell faintly of moss.

Jack and Kirito were walking toward the southern training grounds, half-listening to Rem explain the differences between “controlled sparring” and “combat field simulations.”

“The difference,” Rem said pointedly, “is that in sparring, the instructors stop you before you kill each other. In simulation training…” She glanced at Jack. “…well, just don’t do anything flashy.”

“Relax,” Jack said, rolling his shoulders. “It’s just a drill.”

Dio padded along beside him, tail flicking lazily. You really think drills stay drills when someone wants you dead?

Jack shot him a look. You’ve been tense since last night.

Because the air smells wrong.

The Southern Grounds

The training field was a massive, open space ringed by stone pillars carved with runes. The enchanted sand from the indoor arena was here too, but the scale was bigger — the terrain could shift into forests, canyons, even simulated cities.

Today, the instructors had set it to “Ruined Village.” Half-collapsed wooden huts, broken carts, and scattered debris filled the field.

Professor Drenn stood at the center, arms crossed. “Today’s exercise is simple. Teams of three will navigate the terrain and neutralize roaming constructs. First team to clear their zone wins.”

Jack looked at Rem and Kirito. “Guess that’s us.”

Kirito smirked. “Try to keep up.”

The simulation began with a low hum, the air shimmering as the terrain stabilized. Somewhere ahead, a mechanical roar echoed.

Kirito drew his sword, Rem readied a spell, and Jack… just listened.

There was movement — heavy footsteps — coming from the left.

“Construct,” Rem whispered.

But as the shape emerged from behind a ruined wall, Jack’s stomach tightened.

It wasn’t a training construct.

Its body was plated in black chitin, its arms ending in curved, blade-like talons. Its eyes glowed blood-red.

“That’s… not academy issue,” Kirito muttered.

The thing let out a screech and charged.

The Fight

Kirito intercepted the first blow, his sword ringing against the creature’s talons. Rem fired a blast of compressed air, knocking it back — but it recovered too fast, skittering sideways like an insect.

Jack stepped forward, letting mana gather in his palm. He tried to keep it blue. He really did.

But the violet bled through anyway.

The creature seemed to react to it, freezing for half a second before lunging at him directly.

Dio’s voice ripped through his head. Don’t hold back.

Jack thrust his hand forward. The mana circle formed instantly, not just glowing but crackling with something deeper, older. A wave of force slammed into the creature, shattering part of its armor and sending it crashing into a wall.

Kirito stared. “Jack—”

“No time!” Jack shouted as the thing got back up.

This time, it didn’t attack. It just… looked at him. And then, with a shriek, it turned and leapt away, vanishing into the simulated ruins.

The Aftermath

The instructors ended the simulation early. Students whispered in clusters while staff searched the area.

“That was no construct,” Professor Drenn said grimly, looking at the broken shards left behind. “Someone tampered with the training field.”

Jack stayed quiet.

Rem, however, wasn’t having it. “That thing went straight for you.”

Kirito crossed his arms. “And it froze when you used… that mana.”

Jack glanced at Dio, who was sitting a few feet away, washing his paw like nothing had happened.

That wasn’t random, was it? Jack asked silently.

No, Dio replied. It was a probe. Someone wanted to see how you’d react.

Jack swallowed. Someone like Rusof?

The cat didn’t answer.

That Night

The academy tightened security, but Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were on him.

He sat by the window in his dorm, watching the moonlight spill across the courtyard. Kirito had gone back to his own room, but Rem had stayed — claiming she had “research” to do on unusual mana types.

“Jack,” she said quietly, looking up from a book. “You’ve been different since that first mana flare. More… intense.”

Jack didn’t look at her. “Maybe I’m just getting better at magic.”

Rem closed the book. “Or maybe you’re hiding something.”

Before Jack could reply, Dio lifted his head, ears pricking. Company.

A faint tap came at the window.

Jack stood, pulling it open — and found a small, black-feathered dart embedded in the frame. A tiny crystal was tied to it, glowing faintly red.

Dio hissed. Hunter’s mark.

Jack’s pulse quickened. “Meaning?”

Meaning someone just told the wrong people exactly where you sleep.

And somewhere beyond the academy walls, in the deep shadows of the forest, a pair of crimson eyes opened.